Program Overview
Pre-Ministry
Explore a calling to ministry, service, or faith-based leadership through mentorship, discernment, and a community of peers.
What is the Pre-Ministry program?
The Pre-Ministry Program at The College of Wooster supports students who are exploring seminary, rabbinic school, graduate theological education, religious vocations, or other forms of service-oriented leadership. Open to students of every major, class year, and religious or spiritual background, the program provides opportunities to reflect on your interests, connect with mentors, and consider how your academic studies can prepare you for a life of purpose.
Through regular gatherings, conversations with practitioners and alumni, and individualized mentoring, you'll explore how your values, talents, and academic interests can shape your future.
Explore Your Calling
Reflect on your interests and explore a variety of ministry and service-oriented careers.
Learn in Community
Join a cohort of students for monthly gatherings featuring conversation, guest speakers, and shared reflection.
Find Mentorship
Connect with faculty, staff, alumni, and practitioners who can help you explore your next steps.
The Wooster Advantage
Why Explore Pre-Ministry at Wooster?
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Open to every student, regardless of major, class year, or religious or spiritual background.
Receive guidance from faculty and staff mentors as you explore graduate study and vocational opportunities.
Connect with alumni and professionals working in ministry, nonprofit leadership, education, public service, and related fields.
Participate in a supportive learning community that encourages thoughtful conversation and personal discernment.
Explore how a liberal arts education can prepare you for meaningful work and service.
Academic Opportunities
Connect your education with your purpose.
The Pre-Ministry Program complements any academic major and has no formal course requirements, making it easy to participate while pursuing your own interests.
Students meet throughout the academic year for conversation, guest speakers, and reflective activities while learning about graduate theological education, internships, experiential learning, and a variety of ministry-related professions.
Students interested in visiting seminaries, divinity schools, rabbinic schools, or graduate programs in religious studies in the United States may also be eligible for travel and housing assistance through Religious and Spiritual Life, thanks to a generous gift from Jim ('72) and Darcey Johnston ('73) DeRose.
Ready to Explore Pre-Ministry?
Whether you're considering congregational leadership, chaplaincy, nonprofit work, education, public service, or another vocation rooted in service, the Pre-Ministry Program provides guidance, mentorship, and community as you explore your next steps.
Career Opportunities
Students who participate in the Pre-Ministry Program explore a wide range of professional and vocational paths, including:
Key Areas
Chaplaincy
Congregational and liturgical leadership
Social work and counseling
Nonprofit leadership
Community organizing
Faith-based and social justice education
Religious diversity and equity work
Public service
Law
Graduate theological education
Academic careers in religious studies and related disciplines
Meet Your Professors
The Pre-Ministry Program is supported by faculty and staff mentors who help students explore graduate study, vocational discernment, and opportunities to connect their academic interests with lives of service and leadership.
No faculty or staff match the selected filters.
Latest Pre-Ministry News
Wooster receives Council of Independent Colleges grant to support faith-driven leadership
Associate Professor and Chair of Religious Studies Chan Sok Park serves as principal investigator for a Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) NetVUE grant supporting students as they explore vocations of leadership in faith communities. The grant expands opportunities for mentorship, discernment, and vocational exploration through the Pre-Ministry Program.